Wedding receptions pose a photographer with unique challenges, particularly regarding lighting. The lighting conditions vary in every location, and it is essential to have a variety of strategies to get through the various scenarios you could face. This is why we’ve created a list of our top five lighting techniques you can apply to get more stunning wedding photos.
Dark and Outdoors
If you shoot outdoors in dark conditions, using direct flash using an on-camera flash unit could seem sensible, mainly if there’s no way to bounce the Light off. However, the results typically will be far from perfect. Instead, it would be best to dial in the ambient Light in the camera and then alter your flash in-camera using MagBounce.
Consider the following settings for a jump-off point to get you to where you want to be. Adjust as necessary according to your particular situation:
Here’s a second example of how we used the MagBounce to remove the lighting on our subject within the reception tent, which was very brightly lit by blue Light.
The subject is illuminated in a clean light despite the blue Light inside the tent because of the bouncing Light created by MagBounce. MagBounce
Directional Light
If we are shooting outdoors or indoors, it is possible to take the flash off the camera and utilize directional lights to enhance photographs of toasts, speeches, or other performances at the wedding reception. This lighting technique works particularly indoors, where we could otherwise diffuse the Light using a moving modifier or the flash on camera.
Here’s an example of bounced lights inside using an on-camera flash, in which the Light smudges the colors and Light within the room.
With off-camera flash, it is possible to make use of directional Light to produce a more significant impact, as shown in the following photos:
Attach an off-camera flash to a MagShoe and then on a light stand.
Install grids (preferably a MagGrid 2.) on the moment to reduce light spillage and direct Light.
The moment should be positioned towards the right edge of the floor, as illustrated in the graphic above.
Take the shot from the opposite end of the space. If you’re not far enough from the flash, it will appear like you’re using an off-camera instant.
Since you can move around while still getting regular results from the lighting, make sure to use it.
Gel and Bounce
Wedding reception venues are renowned for their moody lighting and many colors you don’t normally encounter in an indoor session of portraits, ranging from vibrant purples to deep reds. Even a bare warmly lit space can cause mixed lighting problems when you aren’t carefully correcting the white balance on camera and using CTO (color temperature orange) gels.
MagBounce using CTO before and after the Edit with Visual Flow’s Modern Preset Pack.
In the image above, the flash was placed in a full CTO gel, and our camera’s white balance was between 3600 and 3800 Kelvin to correspond with the ambient colors in the room. When you’re ready to edit the image, all you have to do is open the dropper to adjust the white balance, choose a neutral color on the picture, and make any adjustments necessary.
Look at these examples of the MagSphere with a CTO gel to create an elegant softbox lighting style.
Lighting Grid and Sphere
Another off-camera flash method you can utilize to get stunning backlit images during the reception of your wedding.
Use the MagSphere to Wrap Your Subjects in Light
To cover your subject in Light of your issues, use the MagSphere. Follow these instructions:
The flash should be placed directly behind your subject, perhaps 5-10 feet away (adjust according to your needs).
Set the moment slightly low, then point it upwards toward the subject.
Use a MagGrid for a Controlled Backlight
To get a different look in the backlight with a more controlled lighting style, choose MagGrid. MagGrid.
The same steps should be done for the last look. The grid will produce different results than the sphere.
The “Statue of Liberty” (or Dance Floor Technique)
It’s time to get on the floor to dance. To perform this dance, you’ll need to create a posture that resembles The Statue of Liberty, thus this technique’s name. For this technique, follow these things:
Remove the MagShoe from its stand.
Use the MagGel on the flash.
Keep the flash pointed up and away with one hand while using the other to operate your camera.
You can choose from a range of choices for this setup. Each one will employ a different modifier combination and will produce different outcomes.
Conclusion
We hope you find these five techniques to create lighting for better wedding reception pictures helpful. Implement them immediately and start taking your wedding photography to the next level.
